Union dispute at Newport News shipyard may go to National Labor Relations Board

NEWPORT NEWS — Members of the largest union at Newport News Shipbuilding may ask the National Labor Relations Board to resolve a long-running dispute pitting them against their own officers.

At issue is whether Arnold Outlaw, the president of United Steelworkers Local 8888, should have collected his salary while recovering from back surgery last year. Union members convened a three-member trial committee to investigate the matter and render a verdict, which came Saturday during a closed-door meeting at the union hall on Huntington Avenue.

The committee ruled Outlaw and three other union officers should be removed from office. They contend Outlaw should have collected from workers' compensation or other insurance instead of continuing to draw his salary.

The other three officers – a vice president, financial secretary and treasurer – were equally at fault because they endorsed the payments, the verdict said.

However, the four did not acknowledge the legitimacy of the ruling, said Carol "Julie" Greene, who chaired the trial committee and provided details of the verdict. Outlaw could not be reached for comment, but it was apparent that he and others intend to keep their jobs.

That's because United Steelworkers International vindicated the union officers after a separate investigation this week. USW President Leo Gerard appointed a special commission to look into the matter, and they were in Newport News this week.

A one-page USW statement issued to union members Saturday said the charges "were misplaced" and resulted from a misunderstanding. It said the international commission will take 30 to 60 days to formally complete its report and notify all parties.

"Local 8888 members can count on union business being conducted in a normal, professional manner as this matter is resolved through the proper union channels," the statement concludes.

That did not satisfy Greene and other union members who felt Outlaw should not have collected his salary.

"The accused have chosen to stand their ground based on what the International accomplished," Greene said. "The International came down to smooth this over very quickly."

The debate between the local and the international steelworkers concerns union bylaws. The members of Local 8888 who want Outlaw removed say the local can act independently of the larger group. Greene said local members feel they are being stepped on by the international union.

"They interpreted our bylaws the way they wanted to. We read them the way we want to, so we are going to seek a third party," Greene said.

She said they would take their case to the NLRB "or any other legal consultant we deem necessary."

An effort to break away from United Steelworkers International is a possibility for Local 8888.